BOARD OF DEPUTIES COMMUNITY BRIEFING

New Israeli ambassador Mark Regev (right) presents his credentials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this week

The Board this week warmly welcomed Israel’s new Ambassador to the Court of St James, HE Mr Mark Regev, to his new post.

Board President Jonathan Arkush said: “We are delighted that Prime Minister Netanyahu has chosen someone as high calibre as Mark Regev to serve as Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Over the years Mr Regev has worked tirelessly to ensure that Israel’s voice is heard in the international media, never shying away from tough questions and setting out Israel’s case with clarity and erudition. His deep knowledge of the Middle East and Europe stand him in good stead and we very much look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Mr Regev was born in Australia and emigrated to Israel in 1982. He has served as a diplomat for around 20 years, primarily as a media spokesperson.

Candidates will be debating the Board’s Jewish Manifestos (see story below) at hustings this month. The Scottish hustings, organised by the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, will take place in the Eastwood constituency on Thursday 14 April, while the Cardiff hustings organised by the Board of Deputies and the South Wales Jewish Representative Council will take place on Sunday 17 April. People interested in either event should contact events@bod.org.uk who will forward your request to the relevant administering body

During his appearance on the programme last Thursday, Jonathan said that “the national curriculum should prepare children for life in the outside world. The great majority of Charedi schools are high performing schools. This is a very small narrow fringe of schools.”

He added that the Board had done much of work with educators in this sector: “We’ve been into many Charedi schools and talked to them about difficult subjects which they haven’t yet worked out how to convey to the children. It has to be a sensitive discussion to bring these schools forward rather than drive them underground.”

Meanwhile, at the weekend Jonathan wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph about the steps Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn needs to take to counter antisemitism in the party. He wrote: “If the leader fails to lead, how can he – or we in the Jewish community – expect others to follow?”

More than 50 candidates for elections to the Scottish Parliament and Wales and Northern Ireland assemblies have offered their support to the Board’s Jewish Manifesto since the launch of the documents last week.

Of the responses, 26 have come from Scotland, 15 from Wales and 13 from Northern Ireland.

The first ever Jewish manifestos for candidates in these elections were launched last week in association with affiliate bodies in the devolved nations. Copies have been sent to all the candidates contesting the elections. The project builds on the successful manifestos produced for the 2015 General Election and the 2014 EU elections.

This landmark initiative was the result of partnerships between the Board of Deputies, the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC), the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, the South Wales Jewish Representative Council and the Belfast Jewish Community.

The advocacy campaign will be supported by the hashtag #TenCommitments on social media, as well as hustings events and direct political engagement.

Senior Vice President Richard Verber and Vice President Marie van der Zyl represented the Board at the UJS Student Awards.

Marie van der Zyl met David Brown from UJS to discuss campus issues.

POLITICAL

Marie van der Zyl and Public Affairs Director Phil Rosenbergattended the London mayoral hustings at JW3, organised by the London Jewish Forum and the Jewish News. Marie asked about ensuring sufficient provision of Jewish school places..LEADERSHIP

Anyone interested in applying for the Nahum Goldmann Fellowship has until April 15 to do so. The fellowship programme, which this year takes place in Mexico, is designed for young men and women from around the world between the ages of 25-40 who show serious interest in Jewish culture, education and leadership. For more details and to apply click on this link.

Grassroots Consultant on Israel Steven Jaffe was a guest of the Embassy of Israel at a gala dinner hosted by business leaders of the Nigerian community in the UK in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission. A major theme of the event was Nigeria’s desire to extend its business connections with Israel, particularly in agriculture. Hatikvah was played before the meal and deputy ambassador, Eitan Na’eh spoke.

Steven Jaffe met former MP Michael McCann, who is director of the Israel Britain Alliance, to discuss campaigning for Israel.

Chief Executive Gillian Merronattended an official reception to welcome The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC as sixth Secretary-General of the Commonwealth at Marlborough House.

Board President Jonathan Arkush spoke at a dinner held by Gesher UK.

REMEMBRANCE

The UK Jewish Community National Remembrance Ceremony for Yom HaShoah will be held on Sunday 8 May at a London venue to be confirmed. Book your free tickets here.

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